Caroline Wozniacki Checks In, Says She Still Loves New Haven

Caroline Wozniacki will try to become the first five-time champion in the history of the WTA event now known as the Connecticut Open, Aug. 15-23 in New Haven.

The following week, she will try to win a Grand Slam for the first time at the U.S. Open.

All the while, Wozniacki will be training for the New York City Marathon. The 26.2-mile race that winds through all five boroughs will be held Nov. 2. Wozniacki, the former No. 1 women's tennis player in the world (currently 13th), will be at the starting line and, she guarantees, the finish line.

"It's been on my bucket list," she said. "I looked at the schedule this year and thought, November, I don't have much planned. I thought it would be a fun challenge and I'm going to do it for charity. … I've never run that kind of distance, but I run every day. Running is a big part of my fitness regime. Obviously, running a marathon is outside my comfort zone, but I'm really excited for this challenge."

By participating, Wozniacki will raise money for a charity "Team for Kids," which encourages children to join running programs. The longest distance Wozniacki has run is about 11 miles, less than half the marathon distance. She has set a specific goal for her New York finish time.

"But I kind of want to keep it for myself," she said, "because I don't want extra pressure. But I just want to finish. If I have to crawl over that finish line, I will crawl over it."

In the meantime, Wozniacki will compete in New Haven, where she is a four-time champion (2008-11). A fifth title would be a tournament record. Venus Williams also won four times (1999-2002).

"I love coming back," Wozniacki said. "It helps whenever you've played well in the past. I love that it's on the Yale campus. I like the atmosphere, love how the players get so well taken care of. And it's a great way for me to prepare for the U.S. Open."

Wozniacki, 24, originally from Denmark, became the top-ranked player in the world in 2010. She has 22 WTA titles. The best she has done in a Grand Slam is an appearance in the final at the 2009 U.S. Open, losing to Kim Clijsters.

"I've achieved basically everything else I can achieve in tennis," said Wozniacki, who recently went through a very public breakup with golfer Rory McIlroy. "Winning a grand slam would be the icing on top. It's something I am working hard for and would dream to achieve one day."

In New Haven finals, Wozniacki has defeated Anna Chakvetadze (2008), Elena Venina (2009), Nadia Petrova (2010) and Petra Cetkovská (2011). In 2009, she went the entire tournament without losing a set. She has become the face of the event in New Haven, where she has reached the semifinals each of the last two years. Petra Kvitova won the event in 2012 and Simona Halep in 2013.

Wozniacki won the Istanbul Open July 21, the same day McIlroy won the British Open. She has reached the semifinals in New Haven the last two years.

"When she won in 2008, she was ranked 30 or 40 in the world, not nearly as well known as she is today, and this was her first major title on the WTA tour," tournament director Anne Worcester said. "Little did I know she would create a love affair with this tournament, with Yale University, with the fans, with our team. … It doesn't matter if Caroline is No. 1 in the world or No. 15 in the world, because she's played here six times and won it four times, she's so fan friendly and so sponsor friendly.

"She is the player the fans ask most about when they call to buy tickets."